OT Bible Characters

OT Bible Characters

Gain a greater understanding of gender in the Bible through the eyes of a diverse group of evangelical scholars who assert that Christians have missed the point of some scriptural stories by assuming the women in them were "bad girls."

Did the Samaritan woman really divorce five husbands in a world where women rarely divorced even one? Did Bathsheba seduce King David by bathing in the nude? Was Mary Magdalene really a reformed prostitute?

While many have written studies of the women in the Bible, this is a new kind of book--one in which an international team of male and female scholars look afresh at vilified and neglected women in the Bible. The result is a new glimpse into God's heart for anyone, male or female, who has limited social power.

What transforms a once-average person to hero status? How does one become a villain? We'll explore the famous and infamous characters found in the Bible and dig a little into what the Bible says about them.

Part of a series from Museum of the Bible: 99 Astonishing Cities and Civilizations Found in the Bible, 99 Amazing Books and Films Inspired by the Bible, 99 Ancient Secrets and Mysteries of the Bible Explored, 99 Earth-Shattering Events Linked to the Bible, and 99 World-Changing People Influenced by the Bible.

When we rewind history back to Abraham's era, we encounter people who concocted false superstitions to explain the unexplainable. Powerful kings claimed to be gods, building massive pyramids to achieve immortality. Out of this mass of misunderstandings, one man emerged. The man we know today as Abraham not only claimed that one true Creator existed but also staked his entire life on this belief. Why, thousands of years later, are we still discussing the faith of this desert nomad? One of America's most popular Bible teachers, Pastor Chuck Swindoll, answers that question and many more in this compelling and insightful biography that will inspire your own faith.

When we rewind history back to Abraham's era, we encounter people who concocted false superstitions to explain the unexplainable. Powerful kings claimed to be gods, building massive pyramids to achieve immortality. Out of this mass of misunderstandings, one man emerged. The man we know today as Abraham not only claimed that one true Creator existed but also staked his entire life on this belief. Why, thousands of years later, are we still discussing the faith of this desert nomad? One of America's most popular Bible teachers Pastor Chuck Swindoll answers that question and many more in this compelling and insightful biography that will inspire your own faith.

When we rewind history back to Abraham's era, we encounter people who concocted false superstitions to explain the unexplainable. Powerful kings claimed to be gods, building massive pyramids to achieve immortality. Out of this mass of misunderstandings, one man emerged. The man we know today as Abraham not only claimed that one true Creator existed but also staked his entire life on this belief. Why, thousands of years later, are we still discussing the faith of this desert nomad? One of America's most popular Bible teachers, Pastor Chuck Swindoll, answers that question and many more in this compelling and insightful biography that will inspire your own faith.

Where are great leaders like Elijah today? Uncompromisingly strong, yet self-controlled. Disciplined, yet forgiving. Audaciously courageous, yet kind. Heroic in the heat of battle, yet humble in the aftermath.

We see a few such men and women, but the list is tragically short. Rarely does someone model these invaluable traits more obviously than God's mighty prophet Elijah, whose calling was anything but calm and free from conflict. Nevertheless, as you are about to discover in this book. Elijah exemplified true heroism and genuine humility amid the relentless pressure of battle.

Elijah: A Man of Heroism and Humility is the fifth volume in the best-selling Great Lives from God's Word series by Charles Swindoll. The series also includes such powerful biographies as Joseph, David, Esther, and Moses.

Exploring the depths of Elijah's fascinating life as a prophet of God, Swindoll does not gloss over his human weaknesses; rather, he presents an honest picture of this ordinary man who God transformed into His personal spokesman to confront idolatry and evil in the ancient world. You will find that it's a life worth emulating.

In a world that has lost its way, due in part to the lack of balanced, godly leadership, we are more than ever in need of a few Elijah-like men and women who are not afraid to live courageously among their peers as they walk humbly with their God.

"May this book establish deep within you a desire to stand strong for what is right as you bow low before Him who is worthy of your trust and obedience."-Charles Swindoll

Everyone loves a transformation story. Rags to riches. Plain to beautiful. Weak to strong. Esther's story is that, but it is much more. It is a thought-provoking study of God's invisible hand writing silently and unseen across the pages of human history. Perhaps most of all, Esther's story is the account of godly attributes like courage, dignity, wisdom, and strength?attributes that blocked an evil plot, overthrew an arrogant killer, and replaced terror with joy in thousands of Jewish homes.

Author Chuck Swindoll interweaves the ancient, real-life story with insight not only into the virtues of Queen Esther, but also into how the qualities that formed and empowered her can be ours. Esther is the second volume of Charles Swindoll's best-selling series, which examines great lives from God's Word and reveals the strengths and weaknesses that make God's men and women both great . . . and human. Many of the most beloved biblical heroes were ordinary folks. Shepherds. Fishermen. Servants. Widows. Even harlots and petty thieves. One by one, they changed the course of history.

Swindoll explains that these men and women did not become great in their own strength but were empowered by God when they surrendered their lives to Him. To live such a life that God considers great is within the reach of everyone who submits to Him.

Faith is a lifetime journey through different seasons, not a one-time commitment. Typically, we experience summery days of joy and success, together with autumnal or wintery experiences of fear, disappointment, and grief.

In this candid look at Elijah, a man who not only had great faith but also had to trust God through times of loneliness, misunderstanding, stunning accomplishment, and heart-stopping fear, we can glean help for our own life journeys. Scripture makes it clear--Elijah was a man of God, but he was no angel: a human, just like us. The man who ended up holed up in a cave of depression also was granted a leading part in the transfiguration of Jesus. He glimpsed both despair and glory. In tracing his travels, there's much for us to learn.

Would you rather be a person of significance or a person of prominence?

Think carefully! The answer to that question will shape your entire future.

Pastor, teacher, and beloved author Charles Swindoll says, "Somehow life has taught us poorly. We're trained to think that the most significant people are star athletes, actors, and musicians--the ones we applaud, those whose autographs we seek, those who have worldly renown.

"They aren't. Not really. Most often, the people really worth noting are those who turn a 'nobody' into a 'somebody' but never receive credit." What is forgotten far too often is this: "Success in God's kingdom and in the church depends upon faithful people the public rarely knows."

The Old Testament contains numerous fascinating stories of forgotten lives--unsung heroes whose actions, sacrifices, or battles failed to ascribe them worldly renown. These great lives, however, reveal "significant" people whom God honors in the pages of His Word and, therefore, deserve our serious attention and emulation.

Adino took out eight hundred armed, skilled fighting men "with his sword."

Eleazar attacked the Philistines by "himself" for so long that his comrades had to pry his sword out of his grip.

Shammah, while his companions ran like scared cats from their enemies, "stood his ground--alone--and was victorious."

And yet, did you recall any of their names? They're not on the rolls of the rich and famous. Still, they are "significant."

In this eighth volume of the bestselling Great Lives from God's Word series, Chuck will examine little-remembered Bible characters and events. He will help you discover biblical principles and practical applications for living so that you can be who you are in God's estimation . . . a person of true significance.

Would you rather be a person of significance or a person of prominence?

Think carefully! The answer to that question will shape your entire future.

Pastor, teacher, and beloved author Charles Swindoll says, "Somehow life has taught us poorly. We're trained to think that the most significant people are star athletes, actors, and musicians--the ones we applaud, those whose autographs we seek, those who have worldly renown.

"They aren't. Not really. Most often, the people really worth noting are those who turn a 'nobody' into a 'somebody' but never receive credit." What is forgotten far too often is this: Success in God's kingdom and in the church depends upon faithful people the public rarely knows.

The Old Testament contains numerous fascinating stories of forgotten lives--unsung heroes whose actions, sacrifices, or battles failed to ascribe them worldly renown. These great lives, however, reveal significant people whom God honors in the pages of His Word and, therefore, deserve our serious attention and emulation.

Adino took out eight hundred armed, skilled fighting men with his sword.

Eleazar attacked the Philistines by himself for so long that his comrades had to pry his sword out of his grip.

Shammah, while his companions ran like scared cats from their enemies, stood his ground--alone--and was victorious.

And yet, did you recall any of their names? They're not on the rolls of the rich and famous. Still, they are significant.

In this eighth volume of the bestselling Great Lives from God's Word series, Chuck will examine little-remembered Bible characters and events. He will help you discover biblical principles and practical applications for living so that you can be who you are in God's estimation . . . a person of true significance.